Michigan Winter Driving Accident Statistics: What You Need To Know

Knowing the winter driving accident statistics will help Michigan drivers stay focused on safety when they are driving on snowy, icy and slushy roads this winter. Dangerous weather road conditions can come on quickly and it is best that everyone is prepared.

Our automobile crash attorneys hope that by sharing this information, we can help make drivers aware of the road conditions that put you and your families at higher risk of being involved in a winter car crash.

We encourage drivers to pay attention to weather and Michigan winter road conditions, slow down and drive for the conditions to minimize your risk of an automobile crash.

Winter driving accident statistics for fatal and injury car crashes

The most current winter driving accident statistics available for fatal and injury car crashes – as well as overall crashes – show that in 2022:

• 8 % of all fatal motor vehicle crashes occurred on roads covered in snow, ice and slush
• 10% of all injury motor vehicle crashes occurred on roads covered in snow, ice and slush
• 13% of all motor vehicle crashes occurred on roads covered in snow, ice and slush

Winter driving accident statistics from 2018 to 2022

The winter driving accident statistics for Michigan show what a significant safety challenge drivers face on roads that are covered by snow, ice and/or slush. Although overall winter crashes and accidents involving injuries were down from 2018 to 2022, the number of fatal winter driving accidents increased.

Here are the statistics:

• Overall winter crashes in Michigan decreased approximately 10% from 44,008 in 2018 to 39,414 in 2022.
• Fatal winter crashes increased 17% from 75 in 2018 to 87 in 2022.
• Injury accidents occurred during the winter in Michigan dropped 13.7% from 6,005 in 2018 to 5,179 in 2022.

Winter driving accident statistics and driving too fast for conditions

According to the winter driving accident statistics, approximately 40% of the overall winter crashes in Michigan in 2022 involved drivers driving at a speed that was “too fast” for conditions.

The Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP) emphasizes this point in its “Drive Slow on Ice and Snow” public safety campaign when it reminds drivers: “Most winter crashes are caused by drivers traveling too fast for conditions.”

It is important that drivers know they can be ticketed for driving “too fast for conditions” even if they are driving at or below the posted speed limit. That is because Michigan’s “basic speed law” requires drivers to drive at “a careful and prudent speed not greater than nor less than is reasonable and proper, having due regard to the traffic, surface, and width of the highway and of any other condition existing at the time.” (MCL 257.627(1))

The OHSP has expanded its winter driving safety outreach by launching its “Winter Driving” website which is packed with tips and useful resources that address a wide range of cold-weather challenges, including: planning a safe route, how to control their vehicle, what to do in an emergency, passenger safety, tire tips and more.

With the winter driving accident statistics along with our automobile crash attorneys first-hand experience helping car crash victims that speed – especially excessive speed with Michigan winter road conditions – is the top contributing factor to causing otherwise completely preventable car crashes.

SAFETY REMINDER: Slowing down is always your best defense during icy Michigan winter road conditions and winter weather.

Injured In Winter Car Crash? Call Michigan Auto Law first

If you were injured in a winter car crash in Michigan, call now (800) 968-1001 for a free consultation with one of our experienced car accident lawyers. There is no cost or obligation. You can also visit our contact page or use the chat feature on our website.

Michigan Auto Law is Michigan’s largest and most successful law firm that specializes exclusively in helping people who have been injured in auto accidents.

Our secret? Our attorneys deliberately handle fewer cases than other personal injury law firms.  This allows us to focus more time and attention on our cases.

Unlike other law firms, our auto accident attorneys are never too busy to promptly return phone calls and answer questions. 

We have more than 2,000 5-Star reviews that reflect this care and attention to detail.

More importantly, this client-focused approach leads to better and faster settlements for our clients. Michigan Auto Law has recovered more million-dollar settlements and trial verdicts for motor vehicle accidents than any other lawyer or law firm in Michigan. We’ve also recovered the highest ever reported truck accident and car accident settlement in the state.

Call now so we can start making a real difference for you.

(Source: Michigan Traffic Crash Facts, 2022 and 2018, Statewide, Crash, “Road Condition,” “ice,” “snow” and “slush”; Michigan Traffic Crash Facts, 2022, Fact Sheets, “Winter Weather”)